Electrified node fencing

ABSTRACT

A charged node fenceline for the control and confinement of livestock in general being a conductor strand insulated against unintentional grounding with the incorporation of protuberances equally spaced along the length thereof disposed in contact with the conductor strand to deliver an electrical shock to livestock. Terminal insulators are provided to maintain the required tension and thereby free the fencing wire to longitudinal travel in response to abuse and stress. Intermediate carriers loosely contain and protectively support the fencing wire while offering the advantages of direct nailing.

O United States Patent I 1 3,690,618

Shettel Sept. 12, 1972 ELECTRIFIED NODE FENCING 1,806,170 5/1931 Law et a1. ..256/10 UX [72] Inventor: Ralph E. shettel, Twin Falls, Idaho 2,540,608 2/1951 Bussmann ..l74/208 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [221 1970 1,142,674 4/1957 France ..256/l0 [21] App1.No.: 14,812

Primary Examiner-Dennis L. Taylor [52] US. Cl. ..256/10, 256/47, 174/158 E s 1] Int. Cl. ..A0lk 3/00 [57] ABSTRACT Field selldl A charged node fenceline for the control and confine- 174/158 153 R ment of livestock in general being a conductor strand insulated against unintentional grounding with the in- [561 References Cited corporation of protuberances equally spaced along the UNITED STATES PATENTS length thereof disposed incontact with the conductor strand to delIver an electrical shock to livestock. Ter-, 3,223,796 12/1965 WIllough y 10 X minal insulators are provided to maintain the required 3,387,825 6/1968 Kre eger .;....256/l0 tension d th by'fie the fencing wire to longitu- SchIckluna travel in response to abuse and stress Inter- 905, l Bogue l X mediate arrier loo ely contain and protectively sup- Bradshaw p rt th fen ing wire ofi'ering the advantages of 1,610,012 12/1926 Jordan ..174/207 X direct nailing 1,683,109 9/1928 Snyder ..174/207 X 1,736,707 Lake ..256/48 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ELECTRIFIED NODE FENCING The present invention introduces new and useful improvements in electrified fencing for the confinement of livestock and in limiting their contact with miscellaneous structures, crops and equipment in general. This is accomplished through the distribution of high potential current through strands of fencing wire mounted on supporting posts.

The search for simplicity in the building of fencelines that increases in efficiencyand use. is continuing, be it the application of an electrified strand to established fencing systems or the creation of temporary pasture fencelines. Understandably, fear of shock can only be maintained through the perpetuation of the electrical charge. Structurally, electrified fencing alone can offer little resistance to abuse by livestock because of its characteristic openness and light construction. Cattle, for example, sense the pulsing charge. and are wary of it, but as soon as the signal is interrupted, the fenceline is vulnerable to distruction through the testingand leaning that follows. The charge is usually interrupted b unintentional grounding and weed shorting.

The present invention relates to improvements in electrified fencing and proposes to simplify use through the novel constructions of its insulator, carrier and wire components. As will be hereinafter noted, the only tool required for its installation is a hammer.

A first object of the invention is to provide a fenceline that minimizes unintentional grounding and shorting.

Second, to present the charge to livestock only at intervals therealong.

Third, to provide wire tension through the use of terminal insulators that free the line carriers from that tension requirement.

Fourth, to provide in the line carriers all the advantages of direct nailing, yet allowing the fencing wire contained therein longitudinal travel.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the following specification, and in the drawings which complement this application, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the line carriers in location and use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail thereof;

FIG. 3 is a detail of the insulated strand;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the terminal insulator in location and use; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail thereof, fencing pulled to form a comer.

In the drawing and FIGS. 2 and 5 in particular, the views are illustrative of the basic assembly of parts cooperating to produce a charged fence line system existing in a plurality of independent tension runs. Briefly, each run of fencing 30 is supported at its extremity by terminal insulators 20 that maintain tension. Intermediate carriers are thereby permitted to free the supported and loosely contained fencing to longitudinal movement and give, with use, which minimizes damage to the fence line while promoting a uniform fence line tension.

Carrier 10 is seen in FIG. 2 to be a type clevis surfaces headed nail with the clevis enveloped in a tough nonconductive material 14, preferably of weather resistant plastic bonded thereto. The clevis consists of a long arm spike portion 11 that has a swelled tip 12 that resists withdrawal, and loosening after being driven, and an opposite head 13 for the driving and pulling thereof without damage to the clevis or its insulative coating 14. A short arm portion 15 laterally depending from spike 11 and aligned therewith originates inwardly apart from nail head 13 and has an outward intermediate reflex bend 16 adapted to direct fencing wire 30 away from the joint thereof in response to any upward pull, while the resulting downslant toward post 40 guides the fencing onto carried 10 during the fence building operation. A plastic pad 18 is provided for the insulative closing of the clevis to thereby offer full protection to fencing wire 30 positioned therein. Pad 18 is selectively displaced for the installation and removal of the fencing with the nail partiallydriven. Fencing in place, carrier 10 is driven toclose the clevis against post 40. The open configuration of the clevis so formed allows fencing wire 30 to float therein or selectively and frictionally engage any surface in response to terrane and fenceline meandering. More importantly however, it is allowed longitudinal travel under stress to thereby and eliminate adverse scuffing and pealing, while permitting the passage of any fenceline protuberance during violent displacement and abuse.

The duty of terminal insulator 20 is to anchor the tension given fencing wire 30. It consists, preferably, of glazed ceramics or of plastic, and is shown in FIG. 5 to exist in near parallel coplanar sides 21 set apart by a generally rounding configuration 23. A top grooving 22 extending from side to side penetrates forward of vertically down to form a symmetrically located horizontal perforation 24 which will support and impart continuity of line to fencing wire 30, through the fence itself by selectively pulled laterally to form the corner of FIG. 5, or typically positioned as the tension anchor of FIG. 4. A frontward extension of perforation 24 creates a central undercut 25 which increases toward the apposing sides 21 to thereby provide a gentle rounding for the fencing wire to follow whatever the task, while. the overhang thereof blocks removal under tension. Grooving 22 affords the immediate installation and removal of the fencing wire without threading, and the frontward penetration expedites its location in perforation 24 during installation while requiring a further increase in tension for removal. The back surface of rounding 23 is interrupted by a bite, as at 27, and thickened rearwardly to form a substantial lobe portion 26 which serves to provide an anchor means for attaching wire 28 thereto. The position of lobe 26 will be determined so that twist 29 is on the line of pull exerted by fencing wire 30.

In actual practice, hand tension is given the fencing wire resting on the partially installed carriers and the desired engagement with the terminal insulator is so determined. With the fencing relaxed, loop 33 is created in a twist that is stopped against a protuberance for location. Tension is reapplied with loop 33 dropped into the grooving for final position in perforation 24. This is repeated to continue the fenceline, as shown in FIG. 4, without it being necessary to break the fencing. A suitable coil spring 36, of FIG. 5, located behind lobe 26 would impart elasticity and give to fencing wire 30 and further preserve the tension thereof in minimizing stretch initiating with excessive displacement.

The advantages of terminal tension have considerable application to conventional fencing systems. By making the proportions fit the circumstances, the above described components, minus the insulative considerations, will then accept standard gauges of barbed wire. This balancing of tension over the intermediate spans is the better fencing structure in eliminating the usual variety in tension and the resulting ragged general appearance that increases with age.

Fencing wire 30, of FIG. 3, is a near 18 gauge conductor strand 31, preferably galvanized, suitably insulated 32 with a thin coating of tough nonconductive material, preferably of weather resistant plastic bonded thereto. Wire that is gauged to break with entanglement will be easier on the fence line structures and more responsive to livestock panic. Wires colored red or yellow, for example, would assist in the general upkeep while serving to warn others of its existence. The

fenceline is a conductor of high voltagecurrent supplied in the conventional manner incorporating fencers that measure andrest the shocking charge carried throughout the system. Insulation 32 is continuous between uninsulated protuberances equally spaced therealong, be they the wire twists 34 of FIG. 3 or the circlets 35 of FIG. 5, that are charged, only, through a pressure contact made'with the conductor core 31 to deliver the shock to livestock, as charged protuberances. Twist 34 is of minimal projection, not unlike barbs without their points. A degree of projection is necessary for the penetration of fur. The circlets 35 shown has, a concave configeration. Accordingly, nodes in general formed spherically, convexly, elliptically or annularly are considered appropriate in that a relatively smooth protuberance is not only more easily passed by carrier 10, but it eliminates the injury present with conventional barbs. The concern for injury to the carriers is exceeded by concern for injury to flesh and bone.

Those having experience with the installation and maintenance of electrified fencing systems will appreciate the novelity inherent with this particular combination, for a more effective system is realized for all conditions. Grounding and shorting are minimized, yet the insulated strand may be broken without concern for its repair. The splicing of it merely creates an additional charged protuberance. The advantages of direct nailing can increase its use with all types of new and existing fencing to thereby correct the habits of thick necked stock. The life of the fenceline is thereby extended while progressing a better general appearance.

The foregoing basic discription of embodiment of my invention best satisfies the objects pertinent thereto. What I claim is:

tension, said insulator havin a oove means netrating the surface thereof to a ep i pemutting e selective containment of said strand, intermediate carrier means engagement with said posts for the intermediate support of said strand, said carrier being a spike with open clevis head means selectively receiving said strand, said spike being driven to close said clevis against the post surface for the containment of said strand while permitting longitudinal movement.

2. The combination of claim 1 with said conductor strand having a nonconductive coating between spaced protuberance means disposed therealong asthe only conductors of an electrical charge to objects coming in contact with said fencing. C

3. The combination of claim 1 with said fencing being a conductor strand having a continuous noncom ductive coating with said protuberances equally spaced therealong penetrating said coating to thereby make contact as conductors of an electrical charge.

4. The combination of claim 1 with'said conductor protuberances being a smooth circlet means minimizing injury in the handling and use thereof.

5. The combination of claim 1 with said insulator having near parallel side portions set apart by a rounding configuration, the top surface thereof having a groove means penetrating inwardly to form a symmetrically located perforation disposed for the selective installation and removal of said fencing, said perforation having extension forming an undersut means blocking the removal of said fencing when under tension, a bight portion disposed apart from said groove permitting an anchorage means attachment thereto.

6. The combination of claim 1 with the installation of said insulator being further characterized by a spring means intermediate the anchorage thereof permitting said fencing elasticity under longitudinal displacement.

7. The combination of claim 1 with said clevis being further characterized by a slanting top member guiding said fencing into said carrier during the fence building operation, the surfaces of said clevis being enveloped by a nonconductive means while cooperating with a nonconductive pad means for the insulative closing thereof.

8. The spike of claim 1 being further characterized by a swelled tip means disposed to resist loosening and withdrawal after the driving thereof. 

1. A wire fencing system depending from a plurality of spaced posts serving as the terminal and intermediate support means defining a fencing span as part of a fence line, said fencing span comprising; a strand with protuberance means spaced therealong, said strand and protuberances serving as a conductor when electrically charged to deliver a shock to objects coming in contact with said fencing, terminal insulator means secured to said posts maintaining fence span tension, said insulator having a groove means penetrating the surface thereof to a depth permitting the selective containment of said strand, intermediate carrier means engagement with said posts for the intermediate support of said strand, said carrier being a spike with open clevis head means selectively receiving said strand, said spike being driven to close said clevis against the post surface for the containment of said strand while permitting longitudinal movement.
 2. The combination of claim 1 with said conductor strand having a nonconductive coating between spaced protuberance means disposed therealong as the only conductors of an electrical charge to objects coming in contact with said fencing.
 3. The combinatioN of claim 1 with said fencing being a conductor strand having a continuous nonconductive coating with said protuberances equally spaced therealong penetrating said coating to thereby make contact as conductors of an electrical charge.
 4. The combination of claim 1 with said conductor protuberances being a smooth circlet means minimizing injury in the handling and use thereof.
 5. The combination of claim 1 with said insulator having near parallel side portions set apart by a rounding configuration, the top surface thereof having a groove means penetrating inwardly to form a symmetrically located perforation disposed for the selective installation and removal of said fencing, said perforation having extension forming an undersut means blocking the removal of said fencing when under tension, a bight portion disposed apart from said groove permitting an anchorage means attachment thereto.
 6. The combination of claim 1 with the installation of said insulator being further characterized by a spring means intermediate the anchorage thereof permitting said fencing elasticity under longitudinal displacement.
 7. The combination of claim 1 with said clevis being further characterized by a slanting top member guiding said fencing into said carrier during the fence building operation, the surfaces of said clevis being enveloped by a nonconductive means while cooperating with a nonconductive pad means for the insulative closing thereof.
 8. The spike of claim 1 being further characterized by a swelled tip means disposed to resist loosening and withdrawal after the driving thereof. 